With goals from Claudio Repetto and Marcus Epps, Phoenix Rising earned its first road win of 2022, 2-0, over San Antonio FC.
With the win, Rising avoided losing three matches in a row for the first time since 2016. The win also ensures head coach Rick Schantz has never lost more than two matches in a row.
Rising took the lead in the 56th minute. Midfielder Luis Seijas rifled a shot from about ten yards outside of the box and forced the San Antonio keeper to make a tough diving save. But no defenders were around to clear the rebound and Repetto ran in to the six-yard box to clean up the rebound and find the back of the net.
It’s Repetto’s second goal of the season, both coming on the road.
Midfielder Marcus Epps put the match away just moments into stoppage time. Epps outran a San Antonio defender to a ball deep in San Antonio territory and found himself dribbling into the box alone. Just as the defense was catching up, Epps beat the goalkeeper with a shot just inside the near right post.
It was Epps’ first shot of 2022 and his first-ever goal for Rising.
The match was a one-sided affair with Rising having all of the best scoring opportunities.
Just four minutes into the match, midfielder Aodhan Quinn found defender Joe Farrell in the box off of a free kick. But Farrell’s header was denied by the San Antonio keeper.
In the 37th minute, Quinn nearly curled a free kick from about 25 yards away inside the near right post. But the San Antonio goalkeeper made another impressive save, leaping to his right to punch the ball away.
Following the Seijas goal, Quinn found Farrell again on a free kick, but the defender was denied again by solid goalkeeping.
Phoenix Rising returns home to Wild Horse Pass on Wednesday, April 6, for the second round of the U.S. Open Cup against local club Valley United FC. The match kicks off at 7:30pm and gates open at 6:30pm. Fans can purchase tickets by clicking here.
The USL season continues on Saturday, April 9, at Wild Horse Pass with a match against LA Galaxy II. That match also kicks off at 7:30pm with gates opening a 6:00pm. Fans can purchase tickets to that match by clicking here.
Scoring:
PHX — Claudio Repetto 56
PHX — Marcus Epps 90+
Discipline:
PHX – Darnell King (caution) 14
SA — Diede Traore (caution) 19
Lineups:
Phoenix Rising FC – Ben Lundt, Darnell King (90+’ — Carlos Anguiano), Joe Farrell, Kevon Lambert, Ryand Flood; Aodhan Quinn, Luis Seijas, Arturo Rodriguez; Greg Hurst (82’ — Marcus Epps), Claudio Repetto (72’ — Santi Moar), Joey Calistri (82’ — Manual Madrid)
Substitutes Not Used: Edward Delgado,, Richmond Antwi,
San Antonio FC – Jordan Farr; Mitchell Taintor, Fabien Garcia, Carter Manley; Mohammed Abu, Diede Traore (81’ — Jordan Ayimbila), Connor Maloney, Alasanne Diouf (’19, Shannon Gomez); David Loera (53’ — Henrik Sakshaug), Elliot Collier, Deshane Beckford
Substitutes Not Used — Matt Cardone, Roamn Holt, Jasser Khmiri, Kai Louviere
